The 4th pedal, found in some manual transmission vehicles, is the parking brake pedal.
Understanding the Parking Brake Pedal
In vehicles with manual transmissions, the parking brake, also known as the emergency brake, is not always activated by a hand lever. It is often engaged by a foot-operated pedal. When this is the case, a manual vehicle will have four pedals. The four pedals are:
| Pedal Position (Left to Right, for Left-Drive Vehicle) | Function |
|---|---|
| 1. | Parking Brake (the 4th pedal) |
| 2. | Clutch |
| 3. | Service Brake (Foot Brake) |
| 4. | Accelerator |
How It Works
- The parking brake pedal is typically located to the far left of the other pedals.
- Pressing the pedal engages the parking brake, preventing the vehicle from rolling.
- To disengage, often a hand-operated release is used or the pedal may be pressed further for release, depending on design.
Key Differences
The primary difference to note is that the service brake is used to slow and stop the vehicle while in motion, whereas the parking brake is used to keep a stopped vehicle from rolling away while parked.
Note
According to the provided reference, if a manual transmission vehicle has a parking brake pedal, it will have four pedals: accelerator, service brake, clutch, and parking brake (from right to left, in a left-drive vehicle).
